Construction assembly for spatial structure with drive shaft

ABSTRACT

Construction assembly ( 1 ) for spatial structure comprising a support ( 10 ), a screw ( 50 ) and a drive shaft ( 60 ). The support ( 10 ) has a peripheral surface ( 30, 72 ) extends along a longitudinal direction (X). The support ( 10 ) comprises a first hole ( 12 ) extending through said peripheral surface ( 30 ) and a second hole ( 22 ) receiving the screw ( 50 ). The drive shaft ( 60 ) is pivotally mounted with respect to the support ( 10 ) along the cross axis (Y). The cross axis (Y) is not parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) and extends through the first hole ( 12 ) of the support ( 10 ), and rotation of the drive shaft ( 60 ) around the cross axis (Y) is mechanically linked to rotation of the screw ( 50 ) around the longitudinal axis (X).

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates to a construction assembly for spatial structureand a device further comprising an element releasably fastened byscrewing to the construction assembly.

The spatial structures that can be achieved with construction assembliesaccording to the invention are in particular part of furniture,architectural constructions, and machine and vehicle structures.

The invention relates in particular in the furniture field to tables,bookcases, chairs, beds, storage units, stands, and in the architecturalconstruction field to private housings, offices, shops, stations,scaffolding.

The construction assembly is preferably part of bars, nodes, plates andparallelepiped boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Document BE-531 761 discloses a construction assembly comprising atubular rod, a sleeve and a screw. The tubular rod has an abuttingsurface with a hole. The sleeve has an hexagonal external section and ahole. The screw has a shank and an abutting flange. The shank extendsalong a longitudinal axis and includes a threaded portion. The screw isable to freely slide through the hole of the tubular rod and is able totranslate without rotation around the longitudinal axis with respect tothe sleeve. The user uses a spanner to drive the sleeve in rotationaround the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the screw rotates around thelongitudinal axis and engages a threaded hole of an element. Thus, theabutting flange of the screw abuts against the abutting surface of thetubular rod and the sleeve is interposed between the tubular rod and theelement.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention aims at providing a simple, not expensive and more robustconstruction assembly with a better appearance while making the spatialstructure easier to build with the construction assembly.

To this goal, according to the invention the construction assemblycomprises a screw, a support and a drive shaft. The screw has a shankand an abutting flange. The shank extends along a longitudinal axis andincludes a threaded portion. The support has a peripheral surfaceextending along the longitudinal direction and an end along thelongitudinal axis. The support comprises a first hole and a second hole.The first hole extends through the peripheral surface and the secondhole receives the shank of the screw. The drive shaft is pivotallymounted with respect to the support along the cross axis. The cross axisis not parallel to the longitudinal direction and extends through thefirst hole of the support. Rotation of the drive shaft around the crossaxis is mechanically linked to rotation of the screw around thelongitudinal axis.

Thus, the construction assembly is simpler, has a better appearance andis more robust. Contrary to the construction assembly disclosed inBE-531 761, it does not require a sleeve intended to be interposedbetween the tubular rod and the element to releasably fasten by screwingthe element to the construction assembly. Moreover, rotation of thedrive shaft around the cross axis is generally easy to achieve for auser and can advantageously be made by a continuous movement of rotationby coupling a screw driver, a screw gun or the like to a free end of thedrive shaft. To the contrary, in BE-531 761 a spanner has to be used andtherefore the user has generally to achieve a back and forth motion torotate the screw.

Preferably, in accordance with the invention, the cross axis isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

According to an other characteristic in accordance with the invention,and preferably, the drive shaft is prevented from translation along thecross axis in both opposite directions, so that the drive shaft can onlyrotate around the cross axis with respect to the support.

Thus, the drive shaft is more simply and easily driven in rotation.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the drive shaft includes a head portionhaving a circular peripheral section around the cross axis, the firsthole has a circular section, and the first hole is closed by the headportion of the drive shaft.

Thus, intrusion of dirt in the housing is reduced and the appearance ofthe construction assembly is improved.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the head portion has an end surface along thecross axis and said end surface of the drive shaft is flush with theperipheral surface of the support.

Thus the appearance of the construction assembly is further improved.

According to another additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the construction assembly further comprises aguide member pivotally mounted around the longitudinal axis with respectto the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the cross axis ismechanically linked to rotation of the screw around the longitudinalaxis through the guide member, the screw is free to slide along thelongitudinal axis with respect to the guide member, and the screw ismovable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the support.

Thus, the construction assembly can be inserted between two elements to(at least one of) which the construction assembly has to be screwedwithout requiring to substantially move the elements away from eachother, and then to bring them closer to fix the construction assembly tothe element(s).

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, the screw comprises a cylindrical pin of non-circularsection, the guide member comprises a cylindrical bore receiving thecylindrical pin of the screw, and the cylindrical bore of the guidemember engages the cylindrical pin of the screw to secure the guidemember and the screw one to the other in rotation around thelongitudinal axis.

This solution is simple and efficient.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the guide member includes a tubular portionhaving an internal surface defined by the cylindrical bore and anexternal surface, and the guide member has a slot extending between theinternal surface and the external surface in order to insert thecylindrical pin of the screw in the cylindrical bore of the guide memberalong an insertion direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

This solution is simple and further simplifies manufacturing of theconstruction assembly.

According to another additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the drive shaft is coupled to the screwthrough bevel gearing and the guide member is prevented from translatingalong the longitudinal axis in one direction by the drive shaft and thedrive shaft is prevented from translating along the cross axis in onedirection by the guide member.

This solution efficiently link rotation of the drive shaft around thecross axis to rotation of the screw around the longitudinal axis andalso retain the guide member and the drive shaft.

According to another characteristic in accordance with the invention,and preferably, the support comprises a housing and an insert, thehousing has a cavity comprising an opening at an end of the supportalong the longitudinal axis, the insert is inserted in the cavity andfixed to the housing, the insert includes a plate comprising the secondhole, and the insert includes an abutting surface cooperating with theabutting flange of the screw.

This solution simplifies manufacturing of the construction assembly andimproves robustness of the construction assembly.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the guide member has an abutting flange, andthe insert has a guide member retaining portion abutting the abuttingflange of the guide member to prevent the guide member from translatingalong the longitudinal axis in one direction.

This solution is simple, simplifies manufacturing of the constructionassembly and efficiently retains the guide member.

According to an alternative characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the guide member has an annular groove, andthe insert further comprising a guide member retaining portion engagedin the annular groove of the guide member to prevent the guide memberfrom translating along the longitudinal axis in two opposite directions.

This solution also is simple, simplifies manufacturing of theconstruction assembly and efficiently retains the guide member, but inboth opposite directions.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the drive shaft has an abutting flange, andthe insert further comprises a drive shaft retaining portion abuttingthe abutting flange of the drive shaft to prevent the drive shaft fromtranslating along the cross axis in one direction.

This solution is simple, simplifies manufacturing of the constructionassembly and efficiently retains the drive shaft.

According to an alternative characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the drive shaft has an annular groove, andthe insert further comprises a drive shaft retaining portion engaged inthe annular groove of the drive shaft to prevent the drive shaft fromtranslating along the cross axis in two opposite directions.

This solution also is simple, simplifies manufacturing of theconstruction assembly and efficiently retains the guide member, but inboth opposite directions.

According to another characteristic in accordance with the invention,and preferably, the insert is cast in one piece.

Thus, the robustness of the construction assembly is improved and themanufacturing is simplified by reduction of the number of parts.

According to another characteristic in accordance with the invention,and preferably, the insert defines a casing in which is retained thescrew and the drive shaft, so that the insert, the screw and the driveshaft are part of a (self-supporting/unitary) module.

Thus, the manufacturing of the construction assembly is easier. Moreoverhousing of different sizes and identical modules are preferablyproduced, the modules being indifferently received within any of thehousings.

According to another characteristic in accordance with the invention,and preferably, the housing is extruded.

Thus, the cost of the construction assembly is reduced.

Preferably, in accordance with the invention, the construction assemblyfurther includes the following characteristics:

-   -   the support further has a front surface and an abutting surface,        and the second hole is threaded,    -   the screw is movable with respect to the support in coupled        translation and rotation between a retracted position and a        protruding position, the threaded portion of the screw engaging        the threaded hole between the retracted position and the        protruding position, and the shank protruding from the front        surface of the support in the protruding position, and    -   in a fixing position, the threaded portion of the screw        protrudes from the front surface of the support, the abutting        flange of the screw abuts against the abutting surface of the        support, and the screw is able to rotate with respect to the        support around the longitudinal axis without translating along        the longitudinal axis.

Thus, the user only has to rotate the screw first to move the screwtowards the element in order to engage the screw in the threaded hole ofthe element, and then to press the element against the constructionassembly.

The invention further relates to a device comprising, in addition to theconstruction assembly, an element comprising a threaded fixing hole,wherein:

-   -   the construction assembly comprises an internal abutting surface        and an external abutting surface,    -   the second hole extends through the internal abutting surface,    -   the screw is screwed in the fixing hole of the element,    -   the abutting flange of the screw abuts against the internal        abutting surface of the support, and    -   the external abutting surface of the construction assembly        exerts a pressure along the longitudinal axis against an        abutting surface of the element increasing with the screwing of        the screw in the fixing hole.

Thus, the fixation of the construction assembly and the element is easyto achieve and is very robust.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the construction assembly comprises a crankhaving a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis, and the element comprises a crank opposite and complementary tothe crank of the construction assembly, so that the constructionassembly and the element fit into each other.

Thus, the fixation between the construction assembly and the element ismore rigid and more robust.

According to an additional characteristic in accordance with theinvention, and preferably, the crank of the construction assembly andthe crank of the element have a polygonal cross section perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis.

Preferably, in accordance with the invention, one of the cranks of theconstruction assembly and the crank of the element has a regularoctagonal cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear inthe following detailed description, with reference to the appendeddrawing in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows in perspective a device according to theinvention comprising a plurality of construction elements and joiningelements fastened ones to the others,

FIG. 2 shows in perspective, partially exploded, and at an enlargedscale a construction element and a joining element of the device,according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a cross section view on line referenced III-III in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4A is a view at an enlarged scale of the area referenced IV in FIG.3, showing the screw in a retracted position,

FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A, showing the screw in a protrudingposition,

FIG. 5 is a view at an enlarged scale of the area referenced V in FIG.3, showing the screw in a fixing position

FIG. 6 is a partial cross section view on line referenced VI-VI in FIG.1, at an enlarged scale,

FIG. 7 shows in perspective a device according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 8 shows the construction element according to the second embodimentin exploded perspective,

FIG. 9 is a section view on line referenced IX-IX in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 shows in perspective the device according to the secondembodiment during assembling,

FIG. 11 shows partially, in cross section, the construction elementaccording to a third embodiment, a driver being inserted,

FIG. 12 shows the third embodiment in accordance with FIG. 11, thedriver being removed,

FIG. 13 shows in perspective, partially exploded, a device according toa fourth embodiment,

FIG. 14 is a cross section view on line referenced XIV-XIV in FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 shows in exploded perspective a device according to a fifthembodiment,

FIG. 16 is a cross section view on line referenced XVI-XVI in FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 shows in perspective, partially exploded, a device according toa sixth embodiment,

FIG. 18 shows in perspective, partially exploded, a device according toa seventh embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a device 100 forming a spatial structure made ofconstruction elements 1 and joining elements 101 fastened ones to theothers.

In the embodiment illustrated, all the construction elements 1 areidentical and all the joining elements 101 are identical. Eachconstruction element 1 has an external shape of a bar having asubstantially constant external section and extending along alongitudinal axis X. Each joining element 101 defines a node having anexternal shape of a cube having a threaded fixing hole 122 in the middleof each face.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 further includes aplate 110. The device 100 defines a table. The construction elements 1constitute the feet and the peripheral edge of the table. The joiningelements 101 constitute the corners of the table. The plate 110constitutes the top of the table.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, the construction element 1comprises a support 10 and a screw 50 movable with respect to thesupport 10 in order to be screwed in one threaded fixing hole 122 of thejoining element 101. The construction element 1 further comprises aguide member 40 and a drive shaft 60.

The support 10 extends along the longitudinal axis X between a first end10 a and a second end 10 b. The support 10 includes a housing 18 and aninsert 20. The housing 18 has a peripheral surface 30 which iscylindrical and extends along the longitudinal axis X. The housing 18further has a cavity 17 having an opening 4 at each end 10 a, 10 b. Theinsert 20 is inserted in the cavity of the housing 18 through theopening 4 at the first end 10 a and another (identical) insert 20 at thesecond end 10 b. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the housing 18is a bar having a tubular shape with longitudinal reinforcing ribs andis extruded so that it has substantially the same cross section alongthe longitudinal axis X. Moreover, the first end 10 a and the second end10 b of the construction element 1 are identical. Parts at the first end10 a and parts at the second end 10 b being identical have the samereference number.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the insert 20 comprises a body23 and a plate 28 integral with the body 23. The insert 20 is preferablycast in one piece. The plate 28 comprises an internal abutting surface26 and a front surface 24 opposite to the internal abutting surface 26.Both of the front surface 24 and the internal abutting surface 26 areplane and extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of theconstruction element 1. The plate 28 has passages receiving screws 21,so that the plate 28 is fixed to the housing 18 by the screws 21. Theplate 28 further has a threaded hole 22 extending between the internalabutting surface 26 and the front surface 24 along the longitudinal axisX.

The screw 50 extends along the longitudinal axis and has a shank 54, acylindrical pin 59 and a ledge 53 disposed between the shank 54 and thecylindrical pin 59. The shank 54 includes a threaded portion 56 and anannular groove 58, smooth (not threaded), disposed between the threadedportion 58 and the ledge 53. So, the threaded portion 56 extends alongthe longitudinal axis X and in a first direction X1 from the groove 58up to an end surface 51 of the screw 50.

The screw 50 engages the threaded hole 22 of the insert 20 between aretracted position, shown in particular in FIG. 4A and a protrudingposition shown in FIG. 4B. Therefore, the screw 50 is linked in coupledtranslation and rotation along the longitudinal axis X with respect tothe support 10 between the retracted position and the protrudingposition.

The ledge 53 has a retaining flange 55 and an abutting flange 52. In theretracted position, the end surface 51 of the screw 50 is flush with thefront surface 24, the threaded portion 56 of the screw 50 engages thethreaded hole 22 and the retaining flange 55 abuts against an endabutting surface 39 of the guide member 40. Therefore, translation ofthe screw 50 in a second direction X2, opposite to the first directionX1, along the longitudinal axis X due to unscrewing of the screw 50 isstopped in the retracted position, thereby preventing the disengagementof the screw 50 from the threaded hole 22.

The engagement of the threaded portion 56 in the threaded hole 22 endsin the protruding position shown in FIG. 4B. Between the protrudingposition and the fixing position shown in FIG. 5, the annular groove 58is in the threaded hole 22, the threaded portion 56 does not engage thethreaded hole 22, and therefore the screw 50 can independently rotatearound the longitudinal axis X and translate along the longitudinal X.

As shown in particular in FIG. 4B, in the protruding position, theabutting flange 52 is at a distance d from the internal abutting surface26 of the insert 20. Advantageously, the distance d is less than 10% andpreferably less than 5% of the diameter of the threaded hole 22.Moreover, the distance d is advantageously less than 3 millimetres andpreferably less than 1 millimetre.

As shown in particular in FIG. 5, in the fixing position, the abuttingsurface 52 of the screw 50 abuts against the internal abutting surface26 of the insert 20 and a gap d exists between the threaded portion 56of the screw 50 and the threaded hole 22.

So, rotating the screw 50 in a first rotating direction from theretracted position enables to make the threaded portion 56 of the screw50 protrudes. Thus, if the joining element 101 faces one of the ends 10a, 10 b, the threaded portion 56 of the screw 50 engages the fixing hole122 of the joining element 101 due to rotation of the screw 50 in saidfirst rotating direction. The screw 50 moves in coupled translation androtation along the longitudinal axis X with respect to the support 10from the retracted position up to the protruding position. Then, sincethe threaded portion 56 of the screw 50 still engages the fixing hole122 of the joining element 101, but does not engages anymore thethreaded hole 22 of the construction element 1, keeping on rotating thescrew 50 in the first direction moves the joining element 101 towardsthe construction element 1.

In the fixing position, shown in particular in FIGS. 3 and 5, anexternal abutting surface 25 of the support 10 is in contact against anabutting surface 125 of the joining element 101. Then, function of therotation of the screw 50 with respect to the support 10 in the firstrotation direction around the longitudinal axis X, and thereforefunction of the screwing (coupled translation and rotation of the screw50 in the fixing hole 122), the retaining flange 52 exerts an increasingpressure against the internal abutting surface 26 and thus the externalabutting surface 25 exerts an increasing pressure F against the abuttingsurface 125 of the joining element 101.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the plate 28 has a peripheralsurface 6 having a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axisX which is substantially square. The external abutting surface 25 isplane and is part of the housing 18. The plate 28 protrudes from theexternal abutting surface 25. Therefore, the construction element 1 hasat each end 10 a, 10 b a protruding crank 2 having a non-circular(square) section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

The joining element 101 has a front surface 124 which is set back to theabutting surface 125 and faces the front surface 24 of the constructionelement 1. So, the joining element 101 has a set back crank 102 ofsubstantially cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Xwhich is complementary to the protruding crank 2 of the constructionelement 1. Thus, the construction element 1 and the joining element 101fit into each other. Therefore, the construction element 1 is indexed inone of four angular relative positions with respect to the joiningelement 101 around the longitudinal axis X.

The guide member 40 comprises the end surface 39 at an end of the guidemember 40 in the first direction X1, along the longitudinal axis X and aconical gear 41 at an opposite end of the guide member along thelongitudinal axis X in the second direction X2.

The guide member 40 further comprises a tubular portion 45 having aninternal surface 45 a and an external surface 45 b. The internal surface45 a defines a cylindrical bore 49 within which the cylindrical pin 59of the screw is received.

The cylindrical pin 59 is free to slide along the longitudinal axis Xwith respect to the guide member 40 between the fixing position and theretracted position. As mentioned above, the screw 50 is prevented fromsliding in the second direction X2 with respect to the support 10 alongthe longitudinal axis X beyond the retracted position by abutment of theretaining flange 55 of the screw 50 against the end abutting surface 39of the guide member 40. The cylindrical pin 59 has a hexagonal externalcross-section which is similar and complementary to the cross internalsection of the bore 49. Therefore, the bore 49 engages the cylindricalpin 59 of the crew so that they are linked in rotation around thelongitudinal axis X.

The body 23 of the insert 20 further comprises a bore 8, cylindrical ofcircular cross section, extending around and along the longitudinal axisX and facing the external surface 45 b. Both of the bore 8 and theexternal surface 45 b have a circular cross section. The bore 8 of theinsert 20 forms a bearing surface against which rotates the externalsurface 45 b of the guide member 40 around the longitudinal axis X.

Moreover, the housing 18 comprises a cylindrical surface 16 of circularcross section extending around and along the longitudinal axis X. Thecylindrical surface 16 of the housing 18 forms a bearing surface againstwhich rotates an annular external surface 43 of the guide member 40. Theannular external surface 43 is near the conical gear 41.

The guide member 40 further comprises a ledge 48, having a firstabutting flange 48 a and a second abutting flange 48 b. The firstabutting flange 48 a faces a guide member retaining portion 27 of thebody 23 of the insert 20. The guide member retaining portion 27 of theinsert 20 has an abutting surface preventing, by abutting the firstabutting flange 48 a, the guide member 40 from translating in the firstdirection X1 along the longitudinal direction axis X with respect to thesupport 10. The second abutting flange 48 b faces an end of thecylindrical surface 16 of the housing 18 which thereby optionallyprevents, by abutting the second abutting flange 48 b, the guide memberfrom translating in the second direction X2 along the longitudinaldirection axis X with respect to the support 10.

The drive shaft 60 extends along a cross axis Y which is not parallel tothe longitudinal axis X. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, thecross axis Y is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

The drive shaft 60 comprises a head 62 at an end in a first direction Y1along the cross axis Y and a conical gear 61 engaging the conical gear41 of the guide member 40 at an opposite end of the drive shaft 60 alongthe cross axis Y in a second direction Y2 opposite to the firstdirection Y1.

The head 62 has, around the cross axis Y, a circular peripheral section64 which is received within a side hole 12. The side hole 62 extendsalong the cross axis Y and through the peripheral surface 30. The sidehole 12 has a circular section perpendicular to the cross axis Y andforms a bearing surface against which rotates the peripheral portion 64of the head 62 of the drive shaft 60. Since the section of the side hole12 is close to the section of the head 62 of the drive shaft 60, thehead 62 of the drive shaft 60 closes the side hole 12.

The drive shaft 60 further comprises an annular external surface 63 nearthe conical gear 61. The external surface 63 is received within a boreof circular cross section achieved in the housing 18 and forming abearing surface 13 against which rotates the external surface 63 of thedrive shaft 60.

Therefore, the side hole 12 and the bearing surface of the support 10guide the drive shaft 60 along the cross axis Y.

The drive shaft 60 further has an annular grove 68 having a firstabutting surface 68 a and a second abutting surface 68 b. The body 23 ofthe insert 20 further has a drive shaft retaining portion 29. The driveshaft retaining portion 29 of the insert 20 has a fork shape and engagesthe annular groove 68. Said drive shaft retaining portion comprises tofingers extending along the longitudinal axis X, in the annular groove68 and between which the drive shaft 60 is received. So, both of thefirst abutting flange 68 a and the second abutting flange 68 b faces thedrive shaft retaining portion 29 of the insert 20. Therefore, the driveshaft retaining portion 29 prevents, by abutting against the firstabutting flange 68 a, the drive shaft 60 from translating along thecross axis Y in the first direction Y1. And, the drive shaft retainingportion 29 prevents, by abutting against the second abutting flange 68b, the drive shaft 60 from translating along the cross axis Y in thesecond direction Y2, with respect to the support 10.

Consequently, the drive shaft 60 can only rotate around the cross axis Ywith respect to the support 10.

The guide member 40 is further prevented from translating along thelongitudinal axis X in the second direction X2 since the conical gear 61of the drive shaft 60 engages the conical gear 41 of the guide member 40and the drive shaft 60 is prevented from translating along the crossaxis Y in the second direction Y2 by the conical gear of the guidemember 40. Therefore, the guide member retaining portion 27 of theinsert 20 could prevent the guide member 40 from translating along thelongitudinal direction axis X only in the first direction X1 and thedrive shaft retaining portion 29 could only prevent the drive shaft 60from translating along the cross axis Y only in the first direction Y1,with respect to the support 10. But, the robustness and the easiness ofmanufacturing the construction element would be reduced.

Otherwise, the head portion 62 of the drive shaft has an end surface 66along the cross axis Y in the first direction Y1, and said end surface66 of the drive shaft 60 is flush with the peripheral surface 30 of thesupport 10.

A hollow of hexagonal section defines a tool receiving portion 65intended to receive a hex key and facing out from the housing 18.

Since the conical gear 61 of the drive shaft 60 engages the conical 41of the guide member, and the guide member 40 is linked in rotation toscrew through engagement of the bore 49 and the pin 59, rotation of thedrive shaft 60 around the cross axis Y is mechanically linked to therotation of the screw 50 around the longitudinal axis X.

Therefore, fastening of the construction element 1 with the joiningelement 101 is very easy, since the user can easily continuously rotatea hex key inserted in the tool receiving portion 65 of the drive shaft60.

As shown in particular in FIG. 6, the housing 18 has four external flatlateral surfaces 32, 34, 36, 38 and four ribs 31 defining the peripheralsurface 30.

The lateral surfaces 32, 34, 36, 38 and the ribs 31, 33, 35, 37 extendalong the longitudinal axis X. Each rib 31, 33, 35, 37 joins twoadjacent lateral surface 32, 34, 36, 38 and protrudes from both of theadjacent lateral surfaces.

Therefore, the plate 110 of the table is easily maintained between tworibs 33, 35 of four construction elements 1 surrounding the plate 110.

In FIG. 6, the tool receiving portion 65 of the drive shaft 60preferably faces the floor to hide the drive shaft 60.

The screw 50 further has an optional tool receiving portion intended toreceive a hex key in the end surface 51, as shown in FIG. 2. But,generally only the tool receiving portion 65 of the drive shaft 60 isaccessible.

In order to manufacture the construction element, the drive shaft 60 isinserted in the housing 18 through the side hole 12, the pin 59 of thescrew 50 is inserted in the bore 49 of the guide member 40, the tubularportion 45 of the guide member 40 is inserted in the bore 8 of theinsert 20 and the screw is screwed in the threaded hole 22. Then, theinsert 20 is inserted into the cavity 17 through the opening 4, theannular external surface 43 of the guide member 40 facing thecylindrical surface 16 of the housing and the drive shaft retainingportion 29 engaging the annular grove 68 of the drive shaft 60. And, theinsert 20 is fixed to the housing by the screws 21.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show a second embodiment of device 100 in accordance withthe invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the housing 18 includes thecylindrical surface 16 forming bearing surface against which rotates theannular external surface 43 of the guide member 40. Therefore, theperipheral surface (cylindrical surface 16) defining the cavity 17 ofthe housing 18 is of circular section.

Moreover, the insert 20 does prevent the drive shaft 60 from translatingalong the cross axis Y anymore. Instead of the drive shaft retainingportion 29 of the insert of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the drive shaft 60 is prevented fromtranslating, along the cross axis Y in the first direction Y1, by aretaining screw 69. The head 62 has a collar 67 abutting against theperipheral surface 30 of the housing 18 and therefore preventing thedrive shaft 60 from translating along the cross axis Y in the seconddirection Y2.

Moreover, the guide member 40 has a groove 48 having a first abuttingsurface 48 a and a second abutting surface 48 b. The guide memberretaining portion 27 of the insert 20 has a fork shape extendingperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X and engaging the annulargroove 48. The guide member retaining portion 27 comprises to fingersextending in the annular groove 48 and between which the guide member 40is received. So, both of the first abutting flange 48 a and the secondabutting flange 48 b faces abutting surfaces 27 a, 27 b of the guidemember retaining portion 27 of the insert 20. Therefore, the guidemember retaining portion 27 prevents, by abutting the abutting flange 48a, the guide member 40 from translating along the longitudinal axis X inthe first direction X1, and the guide member retaining portion 27prevents, by abutting the abutting second flange 48 b, the guide member48 from translating along the longitudinal axis X in the seconddirection X2, with respect to the support 10.

And the guide member 40 has a slot 46 extending between the internalsurface 45 a and the external surface 45 b of the tubular portion 45 inorder to insert the cylindrical pin 59 of the screw 50 in thecylindrical bore 49 of the guide member 40 along an insertion directionY′ perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, as shown in FIG. 10.

Moreover, optionally, the guide member 40 comprises an annular grippingportion 42 and the support 10 comprises two apertures 14 facing thegripping portion 42, in order to enable a user to directly rotate theguide member 40 with his finger contacting the gripping portion 42. Thegripping portion 42 is disposed between two annular external surfaces43. As shown in FIG. 9, the aperture 14 is surrounded by a peripheraledge 15 which is flush with the gripping portion 42. The grippingportion 42 further comprises driving holes 44 extending radially to thelongitudinal axis X, in order to enable insertion of a stem in thedriving holes 44 to directly drives the guide member 40 and exerts ahigh torque around the longitudinal axis X.

Except the guide member retaining portion 27, the insert 20 has symmetryof revolution. So, the body 23 of the insert 20 is threaded near theplate 28, the cylindrical surface 16 is threaded next to the opening 14,and the insert 20 is fastened to the housing 18 by screwing 21.

In order to manufacture the construction element 1 of the secondembodiment, the drive shaft 60 is inserted in the housing 18 through theside hole 12 and the retaining screw 69 is screwed in the drive shaft 60to maintain the drive shaft 60 along the cross axis Y. The screw 50 isscrewed in the threaded hole 22 of the insert 20. Then, the guide member40 is moved along the insertion direction Y′ with respect to the screw50 and the insert 20, so that the pin 59 of the screw 50 is inserted inthe bore 49 of the guide member 40 through the slot 46. Then, the insert20 supporting the screw 50 and the drive shaft 40 is inserted into thecavity 17 through the opening 4, and screwed 21 to the housing 18, theannular external surface 43 of the guide member 40 bearing against thecylindrical surface 16 of the housing 18.

And the guide member 40 has a slot 46 extending between the internalsurface 45 a and the external surface 45 b of the tubular portion 45 inorder to insert the cylindrical pin 59 of the screw 50 in thecylindrical bore 49 of the guide member 40 along an insertion directionY′ perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 7 shows an other embodiment of joining element 101. The joiningelement 101 shown in FIG. 7 is generally a sphere having twenty sixthreaded fixing holes 122 orthogonally distributed.

It should be noticed that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, theperipheral external surface 30 is circular, but it can be identical tothe peripheral external surface of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6,since the shape of the cylindrical surface 16 and the shape of theperipheral external surface 30 can be modified independently one fromthe other. Moreover, the joining element 101 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, andthe joining element 101 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 can be fastened either tothe construction element shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, or to the constructionelement shown in FIGS. 7 to 10.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a third embodiment of construction element 1 inaccordance with the invention.

The third embodiment mainly differs from the first embodiment in thatthe drive shaft 60 is no more prevented from translating along the crossaxis Y in the first direction Y1 and is part of a driving tool 80.

When the drive shaft 60 is operating, as shown in FIG. 11, the side hole12 forms a bearing surface against which rotates the peripheral portion64 of the drive shaft 60, the external surface 63 is received within thebearing surface 13 and the conical gear 61 of the drive shaft 60 engagesthe conical gear 41 of the guide member 40. Therefore, the side hole 12and the bearing surface 13 of the support 10 guide the drive shaft 60along the cross axis Y, so that the conical gear 61 of the drive shaft60 is well positioned to cooperate with the conical gear 41 of the guidemember 40.

When the drive shaft 60 is removed from the housing 18, preferably theside hole 12 is closed by a cap 82.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fourth embodiment of construction element 1 inaccordance with the invention.

The fourth embodiment mainly differs from the first embodiment in theinsert 20 defines a casing having two parts 20 a, 20 b (the body 23divided in two along 23 a plan of symmetry extending along thelongitudinal axis X and the cross axis Y) fixed together and betweenwhich are retained the screw 50 and the drive shaft 60. Furthermore, theinsert 20 comprises the side hole 12 forming bearing surface 13 againstwhich rotates the peripheral portion 64 of the head 62 of the driveshaft 60, so that the insert 20, the screw 50 and the drive shaft 60 arepart of a module 70.

In the fourth embodiment the guide member retaining portion 27 of theinsert 20 is an annular ledge inserted in an annular groove 48 of theguide member 40, so that the guide member retaining portion 27 preventsthe guide member 40 from sliding along the longitudinal axis X in thefirst direction X1 and in the second direction X2 with respect to theinsert 20.

Therefore, the guide member 40 is directly supported by the insert 20and can only rotate around the longitudinal axis X with respect to theinsert 20.

Moreover, the drive shaft retaining portion 29 of the insert 20 is anannular ledge inserted in the annular groove 68 of the drive shaft 60,so that the drive shaft retaining portion 29 prevents the drive shaftfrom sliding along the cross axis X in the first direction Y1 and in thesecond direction Y2 with respect to the insert 20.

And, since the side hole 12 bears the peripheral portion 64 of the head62 of the drive shaft 60, the drive shaft 60 is directly supported bythe insert 20 and can only rotate around the cross axis Y with respectto the insert 20.

The self supporting module 70 comprising the insert 20, the screw 50,the guide member 40 and the drive shaft 60 is inserted in the cavity 17of the housing 18 and fixed to the housing by screws 21.

Otherwise, the end surface 66 of the drive shaft 60 is flush with aperipheral surface 72 of the body 23 of the insert 20 and the housing 18has a passage 11 which extends along the cross axis Y, runs on from theside hole 12 and has the same cross section as the side hole 12.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a fifth embodiment of construction element 1 inaccordance with the invention.

The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the guidemember 40 is integral with the screw 50 (preferably cast in one piecewith the screw 50).

The abutting surface 52 of the screw 50 abuts against the internalabutting surface 26 of the insert 20 in order to prevent the screw 50from translating along the longitudinal axis X in the first directionX1.

The guide member retaining portion 27 is part of the housing 18 andabuts against the retaining flange 55 of the guide member 40 in orderprevent the screw 50 from translating along the longitudinal axis X inthe second direction X2.Therefore, the screw 50 can only rotate aroundthe longitudinal axis with respect to the support 10.

FIG. 17 shows a sixth embodiment of device 100 in accordance with theinvention.

The sixth embodiment mainly differs from the fourth embodiment in thatthe construction element 1 is a plate and the joining element 101 is aplate to be releasably fastened to the construction element 1.

The construction element 1 comprises two cavities 17. The module 70 isinserted in each cavity 17 and the screws 50 of the modules 70 are ableto protrude in the same direction, so that the screws 50 are to befastened to two respective threaded hole 122 of the same joining element101.

FIG. 18 shows a seventh embodiment of device 100 in accordance with theinvention.

In the seventh embodiment, the plate 28 has a peripheral surface 6having a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X which issubstantially octagonal. The construction element 1 has at each end 10a, 10 b a protruding crank 2 having an octagonal section perpendicularto the longitudinal axis X.

Therefore, the construction element 1 is indexed in one of eight angularrelative positions evenly disposed (every 45 degrees) with respect tothe joining element 101 around the longitudinal axis X.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A construction assembly for spatialstructure intended to be releasably fastened to an element, saidconstruction assembly comprising: a screw having a shank and an abuttingflange, said shank extending along a longitudinal axis and including athreaded portion, a support having a peripheral surface extending in thedirection of the longitudinal axis and an end along the longitudinalaxis, said support comprising a first hole and a second hole, the firsthole extending through said peripheral surface and the second holereceiving the shank of the screw, a drive shaft rotatably mounted withrespect to the support along a cross axis, said cross axis being notparallel to the longitudinal axis and extending through the first holeof the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the cross axis beingmechanically linked to rotation of the screw around the longitudinalaxis, a guide member rotatably mounted around the longitudinal axis withrespect to the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the crossaxis is mechanically linked to rotation of the screw around thelongitudinal axis through the guide member, the screw is free to slidealong the longitudinal axis with respect to the guide member, the screwis movable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the support, andthe guide member has an abutting flange, and wherein the supportcomprises a housing and an insert, said housing has a cavity comprisingan opening at an end of the support along the longitudinal axis, theinsert is inserted in the cavity and removably fixed to the housing, andwherein the insert includes one part at least a portion of which extendsthrough said opening of the housing and said one part comprising: aplate comprising the whole second hole, the plate extending outside thehousing and having a radially extending portion fixed to the housing atsaid end of the support along the longitudinal axis, an abutting surfacecooperating with the abutting flange of the screw, a guide memberretaining portion abutting the abutting flange of the guide member toprevent the guide member from translating along the longitudinal axis inone direction.
 2. The construction assembly according to claim 1,wherein the drive shaft can only rotate around the cross axis withrespect to the support.
 3. The construction assembly according to claim2 wherein: the drive shaft includes a head portion having a circularperipheral section around the cross axis, said first hole has a circularsection, said first hole is closed by the head portion of the driveshaft.
 4. The construction assembly according to claim 3 wherein saidhead portion has an end surface along the cross axis and said endsurface of the drive shaft is flush with the peripheral surface of thesupport.
 5. The construction assembly according to claim 1 wherein: thescrew comprises a cylindrical pin of non-circular section, the guidemember comprises a cylindrical bore receiving the cylindrical pin of thescrew, and the cylindrical bore of the guide member engages thecylindrical pin of the screw to secure the guide member and the screwone to the other in rotation around the longitudinal axis.
 6. Theconstruction assembly according to claim 5, wherein: the guide memberincludes a tubular portion having an internal surface defined by thecylindrical bore and an external surface, and the guide member has aslot extending between the internal surface and the external surface inorder to insert the cylindrical pin of the screw in the cylindrical boreof the guide member along an insertion direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis.
 7. The construction assembly according to claim 1wherein the drive shaft is coupled to the screw through bevel gearingand the guide member is prevented from translating along thelongitudinal axis in one direction by the drive shaft and the driveshaft is prevented from translating along the cross axis in onedirection by the guide member.
 8. The construction assembly according toclaim 1 wherein: the guide member has an annular groove including theabutting flange thereof, and the guide member retaining portion isengaged in the annular groove of the guide member to prevent the guidemember from translating along the longitudinal axis in two oppositedirections.
 9. The construction assembly according to claim 1 wherein:the drive shaft has an abutting flange, and the insert further comprisesa drive shaft retaining portion abutting the abutting flange of thedrive shaft to prevent the drive shaft from translating along the crossaxis in one direction.
 10. The construction assembly according to claim1 wherein: the drive shaft has an annular groove, and the insert furthercomprises a drive shaft retaining portion engaged in the annular grooveof the drive shaft to prevent the drive shaft from translating along thecross axis in two opposite directions.
 11. The construction assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the insert defines a casing in which areretained the screw, the guide member and the drive shaft, so that theinsert, the screw, the guide member and the drive shaft are part of amodule.
 12. The construction assembly according to claim 11 wherein: theinsert comprises a body divided in two parts along a plan of symmetryextending along the longitudinal axis and the cross axis fixed together,and the screw, the guide member and the drive shaft are retained betweensaid two parts.
 13. The construction assembly according to claim 1wherein the housing is extruded.
 14. The construction assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein the drive shaft is coupled to the screw through bevelgearing.
 15. The construction assembly according to claim 1 wherein thecross axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 16. Theconstruction assembly according to claim 1 wherein: the support furtherhas a front surface and an abutting surface, and the second hole isthreaded, the screw is movable with respect to the support in coupledtranslation and rotation between a retracted position and a protrudingposition, the threaded portion of the screw engaging the threaded secondhole between the retracted position and the protruding position, and thethreaded portion of the screw protruding from the front surface of thesupport in the protruding position, and in a fixing position, thethreaded portion of the screw protrudes from the front surface of thesupport, the abutting flange of the screw abuts against the abuttingsurface of the support, and the screw is able to rotate with respect tothe support around the longitudinal axis without translating along thelongitudinal axis.
 17. A device comprising a construction assemblyaccording to claim 1 and an element comprising a threaded fixing hole,wherein: the construction assembly comprises an internal abuttingsurface and an external abutting surface, the second hole extendsthrough the internal abutting surface, the screw is screwed in thefixing hole of the element, the abutting flange of the screw abutsagainst the internal abutting surface of the support, and the externalabutting surface of the construction assembly exerts a pressure alongthe longitudinal axis against an abutting surface of the elementincreasing with the screwing of the screw in the fixing hole, theradially extending portion comprises a crank having a non circular crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the elementcomprises a crank opposite and complementary to the crank of theconstruction assembly, so that the construction assembly and the elementfit into each other, one of the crank of the construction assembly andthe crank of the element has a polygonal cross section perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis and the other one of the crank of the constructionassembly and the crank of the element has a regular octagonal crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 18. The device accordingto claim 17 wherein: one of the crank of the construction assembly andthe crank of the element has a regular octagonal cross sectionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the other of the crank of theconstruction assembly and the crank of the element has a square crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the crank having aregular octagonal cross section is inserted in the crank having a squarecross section.
 19. A construction assembly for spatial structureintended to be releasably fastened to an element, said constructionassembly comprising: a screw having a shank and an abutting flange, saidshank extending along a longitudinal axis and including a threadedportion, a support having a peripheral surface extending in thedirection of the longitudinal axis and an end along the longitudinalaxis, said support comprising a first hole and a second hole, the firsthole extending through said peripheral surface and the second holereceiving the shank of the screw, a drive shaft rotatably mounted withrespect to the support along a cross axis, said cross axis being notparallel to the longitudinal axis and extending through the first holeof the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the cross axis beingmechanically linked to rotation of the screw around the longitudinalaxis, a guide member rotatably mounted around the longitudinal axis withrespect to the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the crossaxis is mechanically linked to rotation of the screw around thelongitudinal axis through the guide member, the screw is free to slidealong the longitudinal axis with respect to the guide member, the screwis movable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the support, andthe guide member has an abutting flange, and wherein: the supportcomprises a housing and an insert, said housing has a cavity comprisingan opening at an end of the support along the longitudinal axis, theinsert defines a casing in which are retained the screw, the guidemember and the drive shaft, so that the insert, the screw, the guidemember and the drive shaft are part of a module which is inserted in thecavity and removably fixed to the housing, and wherein the insertincludes one part extending through said opening of the housing and saidone part comprising: a plate comprising the whole second hole, the plateextending outside the housing and having a radially extending portionfixed to the housing at said end of the support along the longitudinalaxis, an abutting surface cooperating with the abutting flange of thescrew, a guide member retaining portion abutting the abutting flange ofthe guide member to prevent the guide member from translating along thelongitudinal axis in one direction.
 20. A construction assembly forspatial structure intended to be releasably fastened to an element, saidconstruction assembly comprising: a screw having a shank and an abuttingflange, said shank extending along a longitudinal axis and including athreaded portion, a support having a peripheral surface extending in thedirection of the longitudinal axis and an end along the longitudinalaxis, said support comprising a first hole and a second hole, the firsthole extending through said peripheral surface and the second holereceiving the shank of the screw, a drive shaft rotatably mounted withrespect to the support along a cross axis, said cross axis being notparallel to the longitudinal axis and extending through the first holeof the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the cross axis beingmechanically linked to rotation of the screw around the longitudinalaxis, a guide member rotatably mounted around the longitudinal axis withrespect to the support, rotation of the drive shaft around the crossaxis is mechanically linked to rotation of the screw around thelongitudinal axis through the guide member, the screw is free to slidealong the longitudinal axis with respect to the guide member, the screwis movable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the support, andthe guide member has an abutting flange, and wherein: the supportcomprises a housing and an insert, said housing has a cavity comprisingan opening at an end of the support along the longitudinal axis, theinsert defines a casing divided in two parts along a plan of symmetryextending along the longitudinal axis and the cross axis fixed together,the screw, the guide member and the drive shaft are retained betweensaid two parts, the insert, the screw, the guide member and the driveshaft are part of a module which is inserted in the cavity and removablyfixed to the housing, and wherein the insert includes one part extendingthrough said opening of the housing and said one part comprising: aplate comprising the second hole the plate extending outside the housingand having a radially extending portion fixed to the housing at said endof the support along the longitudinal axis, an abutting surfacecooperating with the abutting flange of the screw, a guide memberretaining portion abutting the abutting flange of the guide member toprevent the guide member from translating along the longitudinal axis inone direction.